Celebrating 100 Years of Scouting in Wichita Falls, TX

Lord Baden Powell started Scouting, or the “Boy Scouts”, in Great Britain in 1907. Every person who has ever been associated with Scouts will know that name with affection. Lord Baden Powell had a vision to create an organization to help young boys to “Be Prepared” and with an organization that began with about 20 young people, Lord Baden Powell has had a positive impact on millions of young people around the world for more than 100 years.

The same can be said about the Troop 1 of Wichita Falls that has carried on the tradition of Lord Baden Powell in the Wichita Falls area almost continuously since 1913.

Lord Baden Powell

Lord Baden Powell was an Officer in the British Army. While in India, he wrote a book on scouting that became a best seller. With his return to Britain, he built upon the ideas in his book and began the scouting movement, with his profound believe that “one step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, … and by giving happiness to other people.” He promoted “Being Prepared” all through life. Out of that simple vision, the worldwide scouting movement was born.

Troop 1 of Wichita Falls

Following closely behind the start of Scouting in Britain in 1907, Troop 1 of Wichita Falls formed in 1913, one of 4 Troops that formed in the area that year. The Troop had some growing pains disbanding and re-establishing for a number of years due to wars, pestilence, and other priorities of the largely isolated and agrarian population in the area.

In 1916, the Troop started up again and has been going since then, with 2016 coming up as its 100th year in continuous service to the community and the youth in the area.

The speed that the scouting movement moved to the United States, and the tenacity of the commitment from the 100’s of people involved through the 100 years, to keep Troup 1 of Wichita Falls going, is a testament to the value that people saw in the scouting movement, and that continues today.

Over the past 100 years, Troop 1 of Wichita Falls has remained strong with great leadership. Thousands of youth in the area have benefited from the unselfish time provided by 100’s of people in the lead as Scout Masters and in the background as helpers, doing the many things that need to be done to keep a volunteer organization, such as Troop 1 of Wichita Falls going.

The future looks bright for Troop 1 of Wichita Falls, and thank you to all that have brought the first 100 years for the youth in the area. Everyone looks forward to the next 100 years.